Stupak Strikes A Deal, Thanks To Doyle
Dems reached consensus today on abortion as health reform legislation appears to be on the doorstep of enactment. And weary participants said that they had reached a classic compromise: Nobody is completely happy with the details, but they were confident that they will soon pass the sweeping bill.
After announcing this afternoon his break-through deal that Pres. Obama has agreed to issue an executive order clarifying the restrictions on abortion in the health-care bill, Rep. Bart Stupak (D-MI) -- the leader of a faction of pro-life House Dems -- voiced an alliance of sorts with leaders of pro-choice House Dems.
"Are they extremely happy? No. Are they extremely disappointed? No," Stupak responded. "They are like us." He was flanked by 6 allies in his group at a Capitol press conference this afternoon.
Stupak said that he decided to pursue the option of an executive order after it became clear that Senate supporters could not find the votes to break a filibuster and include additional abortion language. Although his allies among the Catholic Bishops have continued to oppose any steps other than legislation, Stupak said "I know it's Lent ... If they could come up with 60 votes, that would be great."
Despite objections by House Min. Leader John Boehner that support for the Senate-passed bill "is a vote for taxpayer-funded abortions," Stupak replied, "Make no mistake, there will be no public funds for abortions."
According to Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), Stupak initiated discussions of his latest alternative in the past few days. "The executive order was a brilliant option. We just kept working at it," she said. "We worked very hard. Bart took the first crack at drafting the executive order and then everyone contributed to it ... perfecting. ... We went through several [negotiating sessions] with the executive branch."
Kaptur said that she did not see a draft until yesterday. "Mr. Stupak probably has some of the earlier versions on notebook paper."
WH officials said this afternoon that Obama will issue the executive after he signs the sweeping health-care bill.
As the swing votes in the health reform endgame, Stupak and his allies were under intense pressure from all sides. Rep. Kathy Dahlkemper (D-PA), a freshman who has worked closely with Stupak, said that she has had little sleep during the past week and was so tired that she feared that she would faint under the intense press-gallery lights. "It's hard to sleep. These things weigh on you."
And with the small but crucial number of about 10 members in Stupak's group, "It can be a bit lonely sometimes," Dahlkemper added. She praised Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Maj. Leader Steny Hoyer for encouraging the group. "They knew that I was under a lot of pressure."
The negotiations between pro-life Dems and WH counsel Bob Bauer extended past midnight last night; they were based in the office of Rep. Mike Doyle (D-PA), another ally of the group.
Underlying the efforts to reach the abortion deal was continuing uncertainty about whether Dems could find the 216 votes needed to pass a bill without Stupak and his allies. "I think they were pretty darn close to having 216.," Stupak said.
But Dahlkemper said that she was relieved that she won't have to determine how she would have voted without an abortion compromise. "That is a scenario I never wanted to get to," she said. "And the President wanted to find a way to follow through on his promise" to Congress last September to reach a compromise on abortion language.
-- Brian Friel and Sean Sullivan contributed to this report
I am very disappointed and I pray that everyone of these people who say that they are working for the American people loose their jobs due to this vote. I can not believe that they sold out and didn't stand on values, morals, and human rights. VERY DISAPPOINTING..
I respect your vote tonight! you stood up for all Americans and their right to life. It is amazing to me that people who believe so strongly in the right to life for babies do not seem to care about the right to life for the uninsured. Thank you for showing you cared about both tonight.
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